Justin Trudeau said he is stepping down as Canada’s Prime Minister and the leader of the ruling Liberal Party. He intends to leave office once a new ruling party leader is chosen.
Trudeau made the announcement Monday, Jan. 6, after reports said he was expected to announce his resignation that week.
“Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I have been inspired by the resilience, generosity and the determination of Canadians,” Trudeau said. “I have fought for this country, for you.”
He noted his administration’s support for Ukraine and his policy during the COVID-19 pandemic as some of his greatest achievements since he took power in 2015.
“We rallied to support each other through the pandemic … to stand strong with Ukraine, and our democracy, to fight climate change, and to get our economy ready for the future,” Trudeau said. “We are at a critical moment in the world.”
However, Trudeau said he does have a regret while in office: the country’s election process.
“If I have one regret, particularly as we approach this election – well, probably many regrets that I will think of,” he said. “But I do wish we’d been able to change the way we elect our governments in this country so that people could simply choose a second choice, or a third choice on the same ballot.”
What happens next?
Trudeau said that the country’s Parliament will be suspended until March 25 while a new leader is chosen. This means no parliamentary business can take place and the legislature temporarily stops working. The recess allows time for the selection of a new leader, which could be a party leadership change or possibly a broader government reset.
History of Justin Trudeau
In 2008, Trudeau entered the political scene when he was elected a member of Parliament, and then as leader of the Liberal Party five years later.
In 2015, he became one of Canada’s youngest-ever prime ministers, winning a clear majority of votes. Trudeau continued to push progressive values on a global platform, seeing himself as the antidote to President-elect Donald Trump.
He won the 2019 and 2021 elections, but his popularity began to decline after Trump revealed his proposed tariffs increase and has received calls to resign from his own party following poor polling results.
Voters said they’re dissatisfied with the prime minister over housing affordability, inflation and healthcare.
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